Criminal Department

Each year, more than 33,000 criminal cases are filed in Superior Court in Maricopa.Over the past decade, there has been a 10% increase in felony cases filed in Superior Court. The Criminal Department is working in collaboration with other criminal justice agencies to efficiently resolve cases in a just manner, respecting the rights of defendants, victims, and the community.

Through the implementation of a Bond Forfeiture Calendar, more than $1.2 million is collected yearly from defendants who fled and failed to appear for court. To lessen trial court judges' calendars, specialized dockets were created solely for probation revocations and change-of-plea proceedings. In February of 2012, the Criminal Department began operations in the South Court Tower, a 700,000 square foot facility designed to facilitate the effective and efficient flow of felony criminal cases.

Case Procedures

The criminal courts hear cases where the State has filed charges against one or more persons alleged to have committed criminal offenses. There are specific steps in case procedures that the Criminal Department oversees.

Learn More About Criminal Court

The Criminal Department offers many innovative programs, projects and courts, and department information is available online or take a virtual tour of the South Court Tower.